Stephen Caruso

Hi folk. Maybe you realized I've been slow on stories this year. That's because for the past 3 months, I poured over the last 2 years of campaign contributions to the governor & legislative leaders. @spotlightpa.bsky.social has the first of those findings today. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/03...

New: I went to Joe Torsella's one man show about a fictional one term state treasurer. It features ~32 characters, a full recital of the Declaration of Independence, some Catholic guilt, and pointed critiques about money in politics.

Inside how one powerful moneylender uses his clout (including a friendship with David Ortiz) to convince the families of prospects as young as 10 to sign predatory deals in the accountability vacuum that is Dominican baseball. www.propublica.org/article/how-...

New: Pennsylvania legislators have introduced at least nine bills to restrict or outright ban automated license plate readers like Flock. Gov. Josh Shapiro says he supports the latter; his admin is also removing Flock from a state contracting databse. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/09...

At least 48 former state lawmakers are now registered lobbyists in Pa. Many lobby on issues they once helped shape, and represent industries they previously worked to regulate — or deregulate. @stephenjcaruso.bsky.social and I dug into the revolving door. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/09...

New: At least 48 former Pennsylvania legislators are now registered lobbyists, using the knowledge and connections they built in public service for private gain. Advocates argue the potential of such offers can disincentivize legislators from action. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/09...

ICYMI: Gov. Josh Shapiro has now backed a ban on Flock Cameras and other such automated surveillance technology, per @johnlcole.bsky.social www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania...

"The public is entitled to know about measles-associated deaths, but in this case the information provided would have better served a fractured ecosystem had it been more complete, honest and clear." www.nytimes.com/2026/08/30/o...

and lest you think I am only being mad in the newspaper with Republicans spreading disinfo and playing politics, I am being mad at Democrats too because what the absolute [redacted] is this

So, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's ruling on felony murder is now in effect. Find out if it means that bloodthirsty murders now prowl the streets, as implied by many a legislator over the past couple weeks. (Spoiler: It does not!)

I'll be in Scranton for an in-person event hosted by Spotlight PA! We'll be discussing my reporting on the mental health system, and hearing from people directly affected. Please join us!

Gov. Josh Shapiro wields 100+ years of American liberal rhetoric to retell an old story: That government can be a force for good. But as he offers himself as a leading party voice, what does his record show? W/ @angelasink.bsky.social www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/07...

In the state budget before lawmakers as of Saturday night: -$900 million+ in new ed spending. -Pension boosts for public workers retired for 25+ years -No use of rainy day fund Not in: -Tax policy changes -Minimum wage hike -Skill games W/ @jaxonwhite.bsky.social

The latest on where budget talks stand, from @jaxonwhite.bsky.social and I. Details on a final deal are sparse, but the potential inclusion of either an elimination of the data center sales tax exemption or the state's GRT on electricity are key debates. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/07...

Happy July 1st. For the fifth straight year, Pennsylvania's budget is late. Not all late budgets are created equal, and it's weeks until there is an impact. Still, partisan tensions boiled over yesterday as Democrats blamed the GOP for the delay. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/07...

News: A three year statewide moratorium on data center development in Pennsylvania failed in a Senate committee procedural vote 2-9, earning support from one Republican and one Democrat.

New: Pennsylvania lawmakers will, in all liklihood, have to pull from the state's almost $8 billion rainy day fund to balance this year's budget. That fact will undergird closed door talks as the commonwealth creeps toward the June 30 deadline. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06...

The fact that Peregrine falcons roost on the state office building named for a woman who dedicated her career to saving birds and locals turn out every year to rescue the fledglings if they fall will never not be a favorite Harrisburg fact.

New: @jaxonwhite.bsky.social and I look at what's next for skill games. With potentially billions in revenue up for grabs, few talk about upholding an outright ban. But how to regulate the devices and what to do with the money (say, funding public transit) will define coming talks.

New: Pennsylvania legislators are looking at either levying new taxes on, or axing tax exemptions for, Big Tech to bring in new revenue. But such efforts won't be enough to balance the budget, and must overcome powerful special interests to implement. www.spotlightpa.org/news/2026/06...

News: A GOP-controlled Pennsylvania Senate panel advanced a bill to implement an employee payroll tax funded state program guaranteeing 20 weeks of paid family leave for the commonwealth by a 9-2 margin. It now heads to the full chamber.

Due to an almost decade old deal, Philadelphia City Council faces a choice between paying $200 million now to buy the city's police HQ amid a bitter budget fight or pay double the rent in future years to an influential city landowner. www.inquirer.com/politics/phi...

News: House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery) said in an interview that he supports this proposal. "These are the biggest, most profitable companies that are bringing data centers and all of the challenges to our commonwealth. 100% they should pay their fair share."

News: A bill to levy a 5% tax on digital ad sales revenue in Pennsylvania has passed out of a Democratic-controlled House committee along party lines. Supporters say it raises millions from big tech companies but opponents say the cost will be passed on to consumers.

ICYMI: A bill requiring all Pennsylvania school districts to ban the use, but not possession, of cell phones by students by the start of the 2027 school year passed the state House 126-75. It goes to the state Senate, which already passed a similar proposal.

Nine of Pennsylvania's biggest data center projects will be excluded from Shapiro's plan to tie fast tracked permits and a tax break to higher environmental and transparency rules because they were underway before his announcement. www.pennlive.com/news/2026/06...

Inbox: Per the Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania enters June with $45 billion in revenue, about $1 billion more than projected but still billions short of what most spending plans call for.

Good morning everyone. It's June 1st-- officially budget season in Harrisburg. Both chambers are in session for the next two weeks for a mix of important procedural shuffling and busy work as closed door talks intensify before the June 30th deadline.

A patchwork of municipal and state rules for approval of new projects is partially to blame for Pennsylvania's slow growth in housing, developers, citing think tanks and experience, told a House GOP panel last week. Via @wdownard.bsky.social \ penncapital-star.com/housing/pa-z...

It looks like Bookhaven will make it to 40 years after all. The beloved Fairmount bookstore will reopen under new ownership.